Hypodermic-syringe case.



No. 650,348. Patented May 22, I900.

C. WITKUWSKI.

HYPUDERMIC SYHINGE CASE.

(Application filed Jan. 25, 1900.)

(No Model.)

[RS 00., PHOTULITHQ, WASHINGTQN D c UNITED STATES PATENT Qrrrcni.

CHARLES WITKOWSKI, OF BOSTON; MASSACHUSETTS.

HYPODERMlC-SYRINGE CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 650,348, dated May 22, 1900. Application filed January 25, 1900. Serial No. 2,743. (No model.)

To an whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES WITKOWSKI, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Hypodermi'c Cases, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object the production of a compact, light, and convenient case for transporting and protecting a hypodermic syringe when not in use, the case being so constructed that it can be readily slipped into the pocket of the user, and thus be carried in such manner as to be accessible at all times.

Hypodermic cases as now constructed are bulky and inconvenient to use, so far as I am aware, and are not adapted to be cleansed or sterilized in approved manner, While I have particularly adapted my novel case for easy cleansing, sterilization, or boiling, the entire device being made, preferably, of metal of non-corroding character or treated in suitable manner, as by nickel or silver plating.

Various novel features of myinvention will be hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the following claims.

Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly broken out, of a hypodermic case embodying one form of my present invention in condition for transportation with the syringe locked therein. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation thereof, also broken out, but showing the case unlocked preparatory to use; and Fig. 3 is a perspective View showing the case resting on a table or other support, the contents of the case be ing conveniently ready for immediate use.

In the present embodiment of my invention I have shown the case as comprising a plurality of cellular or tubular compartments a I), placed side by side in a row or bank. The central compartment 7) is shown as symmetrically located relative to its fellows and of larger diameter for a purpose to be described. The lower ends of the compartments a are closed by tightly-fitted plugs a, preferably threaded into the end of the compartment, each plug having an ejectingspring 3 attached to its inner end, (see Figs. 1 and 2,) the free end of the spring supporting a follower 3, which is stopped by a shoulder 30 in the compartment. These smaller compartments are intended to contain suitable vials o for morphine, brandy, &c., one of the compartments receiving the holder t, Figs. 2 and 3, for the syringe-needles. The case, springs, and other parts are preferably made wholly of metal, such as brass and steel, nickel-plated, so that the case may be thrown bodily into an antiseptic solution,sterilized, or subjected to dry heat without injury thereto.

The barrel D of a hypodermic syringe is usually provided with a threaded nozzle 6V, to which the needle is attached, it being a common practice among medical practitioners to disconnect the barrel and needle when the syringe is not in use.

In connection with other features to be described I make use of the barrel of the syringe to assist in looking it and the other contents of the case in place therein under normal conditions.

A tubular open-ended slide d is fitted to be moved longitudinally and rotatively in the large compartment 1), and I have herein shown (see Fig. 2) a lug or projection b on said slide extended into a slot 5 6 in the wall of the compartment 1), the outer end of the straight portion 5 limiting direct outward movement of the slide, while the spiral part 6 provides for a part rotation of the slide when extended. The length and direction of the part 6 of the slot is sufficient to turn the slide through an angle of substantially ninety degrees as the lug b travels from end to end thereof, the straight portion 5 of course preventing any rotation. An ejecting-spring s Fig. 2, is inserted between the inner end of the slide b and the bottom b of the compartment to normally eject ormove the slide outward. The bottom b has extended loosely through it the reduced end of a spindle 0 within the compartment 12 and provided with a threaded socket c at its opposite end, (see dotted lines, Fig. 2,) the end 0 being secured in any suitable manner to a thumb nut or cap 0 external to the compartment, whereby the spindle 0 may be rotated readily, but with no longitudinal movement.

It will be seen from the drawings that the compartment 1) is shorter than the other ones in order to provide room for and protect the nut or cap 0 as illustrated clearly in Figs. 1 and 2.

The outer end of the slide b is provided with a lateral arm b herein shown as oppositely extended, and long enough to project W A M over the open mouths of the smaller or auxiliary compartments a, Figs. 1 and 2. This arm maybe notched, if desired, as at 12, Fig. 3, to engage lugs let on the case when the latter is closed and locked, such lugs and notches then cooperating to position the arm.

When using the case, the needle isun-f screwed from the barrel D of the syringe and the barrel is inserted in the slide 1) with the nozzle d inward, the usual collar d on the barrel engaging the outer end of the slide. The barrel and slide are then pushed into the compartment 1) against the spring s until the socket c of the spindle 0 can engage the nozzle d of the barrel, and then rotation of the spindle by nut 0 will draw the barrel into the compartment until the arm 17 is adjacent to and closes the mouths of the compartments a, such condition being shown, in Fig. 1, the case and its contents being ready for transportation, closed, and locked. To prevent rotation of the barrel D when the spindle c is rotated, I prefer to provide the collar pl of the barrel with oppositely-extended projections d to engage upturned lugs 11 on the lateral arm 6 and when the syringe is in use the projections d afford a convenient holding portion for the fingers.

The case is preferably made slightly concavo-convex transversely to fit snugly in a vest-pocket or in the breast-pocket of a coat.

When the case is locked, the contentsof the various auxiliary compartments a will be completely inclosed and protected, as will be manifest from Fig. 1, and the barrel D is held in the main compartment 1).

To use the syringe, the nutof cap e is ,rotated to unlock the barrel-nozzled from the spindle c, and as soon as this is effected the spring 0 ejects the slide 11 and the barrel into the position shown in Fig. 2, the arm b being moved away from the mouths of the compartmerits a. At the same time the ejectingsprings s are free to act, moving the vials 1) or holder 2. outward, the arm 17 acting as a guard to prevent the springs from throwing the articles out of the compartments. The slide is then turned with the fingers to cause the lug b to enter the part 6 of the slot in the wall of the main compartment 1), and thereby the arm 12 is turned at substantially right anglesto the case, which can be placed one table orother support M, Fig. 3, With the open mouths of the compartments turned up, so that any portion of the contents of the case can be readily withdrawn. Until the lug b is passed into the curved part 6 of the guideslot the arm 19 guards, though not closing, the compartments 0,.

Manifestly the syringe-barrel could be held by the fingers to prevent rotation during the locking or unlocking operation described; but for convenience and ready handling I prefer to use some means for preventing such rotation as described.

It is a great convenience to have small supplies of drugs at hand when using hypodermic syringes and also to. have a compact case for the latter, and by the cellular structure of my case I provide not only for the syringe, but for drugs or other articles which can be carried at the same time.

My invention is not limited to the construction and arrangement shown, for I have illus trated and described one practical embodiment of my invention without attempting to illustrate the various modifications or changes which may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patcut, is v 1. In a hypodermic case, a compartment open at one end and closed at the other and intowhich the barrel of the syringe is adapted to slide, and an externally-accessible looking device within said compartment and mounted on the closed end of the latter to engage the inner end of and retain the syringebarrel'in the compartment. V

2. In a hypodermic case, a compartment into which the barrel of the syringe is adapted to slide, an ejecting-spring to move the barrel outward when unlocked, and an externally-accessible locking device within the compartment to engage and retain the barrel in the compartment against the action of the spring. I

3. In a hypodermic case, a compartment provided with a tubular, open-ended slide to receive the barrel of the syringe, an ejectingspring to move said slide outward, and a looking device at the bottom of the compartment to engage the inner end of the barrel and retain it and the slide within the compartment against the action of the spring.

4. In a hypodermic case, a compartment,

a tubular, open-ended slide therein provided at its outer end With a lateral arm, an ejecting-spring for the slide, means to limit outward movement of the latter and to permit partial rotation thereof, and a locking device at the bottom of the compartment, to engage the nozzle of the barrel and retain it in the compartment, the lateral arm serving as a support for the case when the slide is moved out and partly rotated.

5. In a hypodermic case, a plurality of tubular compartments arranged side by side, a hollow, open-ended slide in one of said com partments to receive the syringe-barrel, an ejecting-spring for the slide, alocking device in the bottom of said compartment to engage the nozzle of and retain the barrel retracted, a lateral arm on the outer end of the slide to normally close the mouth of the adjacent compartment, and means to partially rotate the slide when moved outward, to thereby swing the arm out of normal position.

6. In a hypodermic case, a series of tubular compartments arranged side by side, an ejecting-spring in each, a hollow slide in one compartment, having at its outer end "a lateral arm to normally close the mouths of the other compartments, a locking device to engage and retain the syringe-barrel when inserted in the slide and pushed into its compartment, and means to limit the outward movement of the slide and to also partly rotate the latter, to swing the arm'away from and uncover the other compartments.

7. A flattened, pocket hypodermic case, having a series of tubular compartments placed side by side and open at one end, a hollow, open-ended slide in one compartment, a spring to move it outward, a lateral arm on the outer end of the slide, a locking device to engage the nozzle of the syringebarrel when inserted in the slide and pushed into the compartment, and means to limit the outward movement of the slide and to partly rotate it, to swing the arm substantially at right angles to the case and support the latter at one end.

8. In a hypodermic case, a cellular compartment open at one end to receive the barrel of a syringe, a locking-spindle rotatably mounted in the closed end of said compartment and provided with a threaded socket to engage the threaded nozzle of the barrel, and means to rotate said spindle from the exterior of the case, to engage or disengage the nozzle of the barrel.

9. In a hypodermic case, a cellular compartment to receive the barrel of a syringe, means to prevent rotation of the barrel when pushed into said compartment, a lockingspindle mounted in said compartment and provided with a threaded socket to engage the threaded nozzle of the barrel, and means to rotate said spindle from the exterior of the case. a

10. In a hypodermic case, a cellular compartment to receive the barrel of a syringe, a locking-spindle mounted in said compartment and provided with a threaded socket to engage the threaded nozzle of the barrel, externally-operable means to rotate the spindle, and a spring to move the syringe-barrel outward when unlocked.

11. In a hypodermic case, a cellular compartment to receive the barrel of a syringe, an ejecting-spring in said compartment, means to limit the action of the spring in moving the barrel outward, and a locking device to retain the barrel in the compartment against the action of the spring.

12. In a hypodermic case, a cellular compartment to receive the barrel of a syringe, an ejecting-spring in said compartment, means to limit the action of the spring in moving the barrel outward, a locking device to retain the barrel in the compartment, and means to prevent rotative movement of the barrel.

13. In a hypodermic case, a plurality of cellular compartments arranged side by side, a longitudinally-movable slide in one compartment, provided with a closure for the mouth of the adjacent compartment, said slide bein g adapted to receive the barrel of a syringe,

means to lock the barrel and slide in the compartment, and an ejecting-spring to move the slide outward when the locking means is re leased.

14.. In a hypodermic case, a plurality of cellular compartments arranged side by side, a tubular slide longitudinally and rotatably movable in one compartment, a closure for the adjacent compartment, mounted on the slide, means to control the movement of the slide in its compartment, said slide being adapted to receive the barrel of a syringe, and a locking device to engage the inner end of the barrel when it and the slide are pushed into the case.

15. In a hypodermic case, a tubular compartment to receive the barrel of a syringe, and a locking device within the compartment to engage the barrel and retain it in the compartment.

16. In a hypodermic case, a tubular compartment closed at one end and adapted to receive a syringe-barrel, and a locking device carried by the closed end of the compartment, to engage the nozzle of the barrel when the latter is pushed into the compartment.

17. In ahypodermic case, a plurality of me tallic, cellular compartments arranged side by side and secured together, one of said compartments being large enough to receive the barrel of a syringe, a locking device to retain the barrel in such compartment, and means to close the mouths of the other compart ments, controlled by said locking device.

18. A hypodermic case composed of a series of cellular,metallic compartments secured together side by side, the central compartment being of greater diameter than the others and symmetrically disposed relatively thereto, a tubular slide in the central compartment, to receive a syringe-barrel, means carried by the slide to close the other compartments when the barrel is locked in its compartment, and a device to lock the barrel therein.

19. In a hypodermic case, a cellular compartment, a tubular slide longitudinally and rotatably movable therein, to receive. the syringe-barrel, means to control the movement of the slide, and a locking device to engage the inner end of the barrel when it and the slide are pushed into the compartment.

20. A flattened, pocket hypodermic case, comprising a series of tubular compartments rigidly secured together side by side and open at one end, one of said compartments being adapted to receive the barrel of a syringe, means to retain the barrel in its compartment, and a separate closure for the open ends of the other compartments, controlled by said retaining means.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

O. IVI'IKOIVSKI.

Witnesses:

JOHN C. EDW'ARDS, AUGUSTA E. DEAN. 

